© ollisaarinen (CC BY)
© ollisaarinen (CC BY)
2 Cash - Yuanyou Tongbao; Seal script; iron ND
| Iron | 11.31 g | 33 mm |
| Issuer | Empire of China |
|---|---|
| Emperor | Northern Song dynasty › Zhezong (宋哲宗) (1085-1100) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1093-1094 |
| Value | 2 Cash |
| Currency | Cash (621-1912) |
| Composition | Iron |
| Weight | 11.31 g |
| Diameter | 33 mm |
| Thickness | 3.0 mm |
| Shape | Round with a square hole |
| Technique | Cast |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-04 |
| Numista | N#138134 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 90% |
Reverse
Blank (uniface).
Edge
Plain
Comment
Hartill says Sima Guang designed some coins of Zhezong, but does not specify which era he designed coins for. Because Sima Guang died in 1086, he could of only designed coins for the Yuanyou era.2 Cash pieces were re-introduced in 1093, but after only two years of circulating, it was found that these pieces gave no satisfaction, and they were discontinued in favour of the 1 Cash pieces.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about this coin is that it was made of iron, which was a unusual choice of material for coins at that time, as most coins were made of copper, silver or gold. The use of iron as a material for coins was likely a result of a shortage of other metals, and it was a common practice during the Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) in China.
